Thailand is known for its high levels of migrant workers – more than 3 million according to the International Organization for Migration. But starting in the last week of June, tens of thousands began fleeing the country. New labor regulations put into place by the ruling junta are to blame. Also occurring in late June, Human Rights Watch and the Uzbek-German Forum for Human Rights released a report that connects World Bank to forced labor in Central Asia’s cotton fields. A national strike in Venezuela protesting plans to rewrite the constitution turned violent last week. Click here for more. The South African Labor Commission ruled this month that, in South Africa, Uber drivers are employees. Lastly, we know we don’t have to tell you that there’s a lot going on in Israel right now. For a deep look into how current economic and political issues are affecting labor in the region, check out this article by Pulitzer Center.
